Original U.S. Early WWII USMC Marine M1917A1 Kelly Helmet as used in the Battle of Wake Island
Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a genuine excellent condition M1917A1 "Kelly" Helmet, with a correct bronze Marine Corps EGA attached to the front, dating from the 1936-1942 period. The helmet is complete with the original liner support, though the leather components of the liner have almost all deteriorated, so only the band remains. The chinstrap is complete, and has the correct blacked case brass buckles. The shell has the original OD green paint mostly intact, including the textured "corked" exterior. There is a correct ZC 188 heat lot stamp on the inside of the shell. A great display piece form the early WWII period!
The Battle of Wake Island began simultaneously with the attack on Pearl Harbor naval and air bases in Hawaii on the morning of 8 December 1941 (7 December in Hawaii), and ended on 23 December, with the surrender of the American forces to the Empire of Japan. It was fought on and around the atoll formed by Wake Island and its minor islets of Peale and Wilkes Islands by the air, land, and naval forces of the Japanese Empire against those of the United States, with Marines playing a prominent role on both sides.
The M1917A1 helmet was a transitional helmet used during the early years of WWII prior to the introduction of the more common M1 Helmet. It was basically a M1917 helmet shell, as used during WWI, with and improved liner and chin strap assembly. These helmets were widely used by the US Army Troops that occupied the Pacific Islands before and the Pearl Harbor Attack. They were also used by the USMC in the early Island Campaigns of 1942 & 1943.
A great original early WWII Marine Corps helmet with lots of history. Ready to display!
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